The year 2009 was a momentous year for video games. A fewhighlights include the return of a Mario Bros. side-scrollingadventure, a Rock Band game completely dedicated to The Beatles,and a Batman game that few could imagine was possible. It’s clearthe momentum is carrying over into 2010. Without further ado, hereare just 10 of the top video games to keep an eye out for in2010.

1. Mass Effect 2 (XBOX360, PC) – Release: Jan. 26 Publisher:Electronic Arts, Developer: Bioware

The gameproduction professionals that created this game looked to buildon its predecessor in every way. There seems to be more influenceon ethical conflict within the story, while the game play has beenenhanced to feel more like a typical shooter, rather than just arole-playing game. Some minor tweaking to the few issues of theoriginal game is needed to make “Mass Effect 2” great.

2. BioShock 2 (Xbox360, PS3, PC) – Release: Feb. 9 Publisher: 2kGames, Developer: 2k Marin

“BioShock 2” takes place 10 years after the events of theoriginal game. This time around, you’ll be exploring the dystopiaRapture as the original Big Daddy. Along with the plasmids, tonicsand weapons from the original game, you’ll be able to use the drilland rivet gun seen on all Big Daddies. With the original Big Daddyhaving no recollection of the events the last 10 years, you can besure to expect a familiar yet new experience within Rapture.

3. Heavy Rain (PS3) Release: Feb. 23 Publisher: SCEA, Developer:Quantic Dream

For those looking for a little more drama in their video games,”Heavy Rain” will deliver the goods. Focusing heavily on the toughdecisions and events humans go through in everyday life, “HeavyRain” hopes to create an ethos hardly seen in video games. “HeavyRain” also will feature a unique system in which a player’s actionswill affect the story. No matter what the player does in the gamethere will be a subsequent reaction.

4. Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, XBOX360) – Release: March 3Publisher: Square Enix, Developer: Square Enix

“Final Fantasy XIII” marks a return to the old of sorts forSquareEnix. Unlike recent Final Fantasies that featured a real-timebattle system, “XIII” reverts back to a version of the active-timebattle system. More strategy is involved in the fighting, asplayers will be able to string attacks together into combos.

5. God of War III (PS3) Release: March 16 Publisher: SCEA,Developer: SCEA Santa Monica

Kratos brings his personal vendetta against the gods of Olympusto the PS3 for the first time. “God of War III” is the final gamein the trilogy and takes place immediately after the second game.Kratos will have new techniques and weapons including the Cestus (alion headed set of gauntlets) to help him in his battle against thegods.

6. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) Release: May 23 Publisher:Nintendo, Developer: Nintendo

Mario makes his second appearance on a new Wii title in as manyyears. Unlike last year’s side-scrolling game, “Super Mario Galaxy2” continues with the original Galaxy game’s free 3-D format. Notmuch is known about “Super Mario Galaxy 2” except that Yoshi willbe making an appearance.

7. Alan Wake (XBOX360) Release: May 28 Publisher: Microsoft,Developer: Remedy

It’s been nearly six years in production, but “Alan Wake” willfinally be on the market in 2010. Very little is known about thispsychological thriller except that light will play a key role.Flares, flashlights and other light-emitting objects will be usedto create safe spots amid “The Darkness.” Fortunately, “Alan Wake”comes to us from the same developer responsible for the first twoMax Payne games.

8. Metroid: Other M (Wii) – Release: June 27 Publisher:Nintendo, Developer: Team Ninja

“Other M” deviates a bit from recent Metroid titles in that itwill involve more third-person perspective than first. While thefirst person perspective will be used when firing at enemies, thethird-person view will be used for all other movements. “Other M”also marks the first collaboration between Nintendo and Team Ninja(the gameproduction studio that brought us the Dead or Alive and NinjaGaiden series).

9. Halo: Reach (Xbox360) – Release: TBA 2010 Publisher:Microsoft, Developer: Bungie

“Halo: Reach” will act as a prequel to the original “Halo,” andonce again the player will assume control of a Spartan solider. Infact, “Reach” features entire squads of Spartans. With Microsofttaking over Halo duties, Reach could end up being Bungie’s lastHalo game. If that’s the case, expect Bungie to pull out all thestops in their last project with the Halo universe they createdback in 2001.

10. StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty (PC) Release: TBA 2010Publisher: Blizzard, Developer: Blizzard

It’s been nearly 12 years since “StarCraft” was first released,and many people to this day are still playing it. After years ofspeculation, Blizzard is finally releasing “StarCraft 2.” Blizzardplans on breaking the story up through three separate games withthe first being Wings of Liberty which will focus on the Terans.While there will only be one race’s story in Wings of Liberty,there will be a full multiplayer mode featuring all races.

Information in this article was provided by IADT – Seattle.Contact IADT – Seattle today if you’re interested in developingmarketable knowledge and career-relevant skills with a gameproduction degree program. (IADT – Seattle does not guaranteeemployment or salary.)

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